Mothering Mother Earth
Filed Under Mom Talk |
I often wonder what they will think of us. Will they (the mothers of tomorrow) be happy with our legacy? Will they be as inspired by us as we are by the many women and mothers who fought for – and still fight for, depending on where you live – our equality?
While the severity of inequality for women and mothers is, perhaps in our eyes, extreme in other parts of the world, a mothering issue of our own is happening right here in the west. We represent the largest consumer base on the planet, and it appears we are ignoring our responsibility for the imminent danger facing us and our quality of life.
North Americans are followed in second place by Europe in terms of global consumption rates. And there’s quite a gap between the two continents, given that the rate of consumption for North America is double that of Europe. That’s right! We are the leading cause of global warming by these estimates. It’s a startling fact and many of us, who were knee-deep in denial, are now coming to terms with it.
We all need to just “mother” the earth by saying “NO” to big corporations with no social conscience and politicians who don’t have a strong platform for mothering the earth. And we can do that with our votes and our spending and with a commitment to getting educated and challenging everyone you know to do the same. As a mother, I’m realizing more and more that this is non-negotiable. This is why I’ve taken up the cause of “mothering Earth.”
It’s not easy by any stretch, as the conveniences we have all taken for granted are actually addictive. In the west we get from point A to point B in almost everything we do with the flick of switch. If we don’t like it, we dump it. I am not without fault. I still drive a gas guzzling minivan, for example. However, as a family, we have started strategizing ways we can make the changes required to be a ZERO footprint family. That should be everyone’s goal.
TIPS for moms who strive to make the family a ZERO FOOTPRINT family and are just starting out:
BUY LESS: The reality is when you buy less, you can budget to get the healthier and sometimes pricier products, like toys and plastics that are not full of toxins.
BUY USED: Buying recycled clothing is easier on the Earth and the pocketbook. Some clothing is treated with harmful toxins (formaldehyde being one) that are linked to serious illness like cancer, for example. Second-hand clothes that have been washed numerous times are better. Having said that, check the chemicals in your detergent and consider switching to a more eco-friendly detergent.
ORGANIZE SWAPS IN YOUR COMMUNITY: Whether it’s books, kids’ clothes, toys, or other items you don’t need, why not have a semi-annual swap at your local community center? It’s a great way to foster community spirit and save money.
PLAN YOUR NEXT VEHICLE FAST: Tree-hugging is not just for the left anymore. We all know that the mainstream is beginning to get it. So let’s just expedite the inevitable so we can move forward with sustainability. Explore hybrid options and if you don’t drive a lot, look into car share organizations.
WORK FROM HOME: This one is a great one for moms and many “mompreneurs” do this already. Save time, money, and resources by doing what you do where you live. Don’t travel to and from to perform tasks that could easily be done from your home.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PLANS: Many homeowners are making changes to their homes to create more energy-efficient households including such things as switching to more sustainable forms of energy (solar panels are one example) and using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
